Renting in Essex

[sunshinesupermum]

Hi, DD2 is looking to rent a one bed flat about one hour away from where she works in Kensington, so I'm thinking somewhere like Epping which is on Central line. She can spend c £900 - £1000 per month rent max

Anyone have some good suggestions she can look at as we don't know Essex at all. She is single apart from her cat, Gertie and current b/f lives in Canterbury. She doesn't drive. TIA

Bump. Anyone?

Epping is a generous hour from Kensington, even without the walk to/from the tube at either end.

Any particular reason that she wants to be in Essex? It seems like totally the wrong side of London for her job!

I thought Epping was rather pricey compared to other essex towns? Your daughter would need to consider the commuting cost too. Any reason you want Essex when she works in West London? and partner in Kent?

Has she looked on rightmove to see what is available within her price range? You can select a large, geographical location to help her find an affordable area.

Thanks for replying!

She's found the east side of outer London cheaper than the west (she currently lives in Putney) and she was looking at train lines that connect with the District or Circle which will get her to Ken High Street where she works and her office is a few yards from the tube station.

Also better to be east (in Essex) even though she won't be in Kent IYSWIM! She has looked on Rightmove and Zoopla and I've mentioned she needs to take commuting costs into account.

I'm in two minds about it all. She has my flat (for which she pays a nominal rent, buys her own food etc etc) for most of the time as I live elsewhere with my DP but she thinks she will be more independent if she moves out. I think she will be throwing money away which until now she's been able to save.

How about Upminster? Not sure how far she wants to be from the station, but there are two options, either District line (loooong way to High St Ken) or overground (C2C) to Fenchurch St - then change to Tower Hill ... likely to reduce journey time quite a bit, if she really wants to be in Essex.

Also closer to Kent than Epping, if the b/f is willing to drive to her

Shenfield is 25mins to Liverpool St and would be in budget. Quiet a nice area. Crossrail terminus (whenever it finally arrives). Easy drive to Kent.

Yep, I'd agree that Shenfield is a better bet. Still a long old slog but you do not want to be relying on the Central and then District line for your commute! That is a recipe for misery.

Is there a reason she's not looking more towards SE London? I would have thought that would be handier for Kent, and an easier commute as well.

Is Barking in that price range? It has a district line, hammersmith and city and c2c and overground to west London

OP I used to live in Essex and Kensington High st pretty far away from most parts!
My sister used to rent a studio flat in London then come home at weekends. Is that an option? Look up Kensington high st on rent Rightmove with filter £1k on and things do come up.
Staying within reach of the tube has seriously reduced travel costs in my family. National rail is much more expensive than the tube so worth bearing in mind.

Upminster and Hornchurch could work.

highlandsprung Thanks for that - I'll check it out with her as an alternative. Would be great if she could afford it. I donlt know if she has got as far as checking the cost difference between Tube and Rail yet tbh!

heypizza Upminster would work. Shartsi Will check Barking.

PerspicaciaTick would Shenfield be too quiet for a single 30 something? She is looking at areas that came into Liverpool Street.

Freiasbathtub SE London is no good for getting to Ken High Street without a lot of hassle.

Neither she nor b/f drive (too expensive!)

Thanks again everyone for tips.

Avoid Barking, not so nice IMO, especially if she may want to settle longer term in the area ...

SE is a long commute in, would Dulwich / Bromley work (although may mean a slightly longer journey for b/f)? Upminster is decent but it will take over an hour.

I would skip over Barking...

TBH am not worried about b/f although have yet to hear his views! They've been dating for just under a year and I'm tempted to suggest she waits a little longer to see if he wants to share with her which will save on costs.

@sunshinesupermum Shenfield has a very lively high street and it always looks busy on a Friday / Saturday night in the local bars. Close to Brentwood too for going "out out".

Thanks @Chanel05

How about Leytonstone? She's a bit nearer the centre and can get any central line train back. That budget is just about OK for Leytonstone.

Also do download the Citymapper app. I've recently moved and found it very good for working out door to door realistic journey times. Ps I meant to add my sister could have stayed in her studio flat at weekends but chose to come home.
Also barking no way would I ever want to live there! I was pretty annoyed when they used to pass my train through there after previously not having to experience the delights!

I checked Kensington for 1 bed flats (not flat/house shares) and there are none in her price range or anything near, highland but will tell her about the app thanks.

I thought Leytonstone would be out of price range too? Mosaic but will look again.

Ah I see. Somewhere like Crystal Palace would work, though if bf doesn't drive probably doesn't make that journey any easier. Essex also has the advantage of being easy to get to Stratford and the fast train to Canterbury I guess. Would agree that Leytonstone is a better bet than Epping - quite a few Central line trains terminate at Loughton.

I do think that you are probably right that staying put and saving for a few more months might be the best thing to do.

There are a few flats withinbher price range in the Hornchurch area. Personally, though, I'd look more at Upminster or even Romford, because they are both on mainline overground routes. The district line is ridiculously slow so she's be better off going to either Stratford from Romford, or Fenchurch street from Upminster and changing to underground en route. There are a few decent looking one bedroom flats within walking distance of both Romford station and Upminster station.

Thanks lmok Romford could work - just sounds such a long way away.

I'd forgotten that it is easy to get to Kent from Stratford.